In our church, inserted in the worship program is a time when Pastor Ding calls all the children to the front to be prayed for–every Sunday.  This is one thing I would never take out of the worship program because I think it’s a powerful thing to pray for our children in our churches.  Even if they’re usually looked over by adults, I know that God is working in them and speaking to them even at such a young age.  I believe that wholeheartedly with Emma.  So ever since she was born, each Sunday, Perze or I would bring her to the front and carry her when she was a baby.  Then when she learned how to walk, Perze or I would accompany her to the front and stay with her.  But after three years, last Sunday (see picture), Emma ran all the way to the front all by herself, with a big girl swagger.  Without fear or intimidation.  I was so proud of her.  And not only that, but I noticed while she was up there, with her finger on her lips, she was motioning to the older kids to stop talking. hahahah.

Emma drew this without us knowing. She then surprised us and told us that Perze was the big circle, me as the one with long legs (score!), and she was the smallest. I asked her where the baby was and she pointed to the very small drawing inside me (click on the picture to enlarge).                                                                                    She said, "Baby Z is in your tummy!" Can you see it? Baby Z is definitely there!  True enough, the baby is still inside.  This is her first family portrait that she’s taken the initiative to draw.  Perze and I had a huge kick out of it. She’s so good now with drawing. At least she drew all of us with smiles. It lets me know she sees our family as happy.

Ok. Initial plan was for Em to be Sarah Palin, Perze as Joe the Plumber, and me as a bulldog w/ lipstick. Everything went down the drain as Em adamantly voiced her 2 cents.  Yes, at three years old, there was nothing else she was going out there to collect candy except as a princess.  Luckily, my mom saved my lil sister’s old ballet recital dress from when she was four years old.  With a few tucks here and there, it fit her enough for her to walk from house to house (with the help of the RadioFlyer), with her Mom, Dad, and Uncle, to collect candy.                                                                      This was her first year that she understood what was going on, being more conscious of other kids dressing up in costumes, and collecting candy.  She has been looking forward for weeks for this event. How’d she do? She collected a basket and a half.  Pretty good for a three year old huh?  Check out that pumpkin basket she’s carrying; that used to be one of the baskets that we used when we were children. the full album is up on our Photo Gallery.